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2023-03-31-accounts

Pregnancy Centres Network Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ending

31[st] March 2023

Charitable Incorporated Organisation No 1164610

1

INTRODUCING PREGNANCY CENTRES NETWORK (PCN)

PCN was set up in 2014 in response to a request from representatives of numerous independent pregnancy centres operating with a Christian ethos. We are currently in touch with around 60 centres. PCN was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in November 2015.

PCN is run by a board of Trustees, united with a passion to increase the support available to those facing unplanned pregnancy and pregnancy loss concerns, and to young people and vulnerable adults making vital decisions regarding sex and relationships. Between us we combine relevant professional expertise and many years of experience working in this field.

PCN Vision

…is that no-one in the UK has to face unintended pregnancy, abortion, or other pregnancy loss alone and that teenagers and vulnerable adults are empowered to make healthy decisions about relationships and sex.

PCN Mission

…is to resource local pregnancy centres working to relieve psychological, emotional, and spiritual distress related to unplanned pregnancy, post abortion issues or other pregnancy/child loss by:

  1. Assisting and encouraging pregnancy centres to maintain best practice in their non-directive work of supporting those facing unplanned pregnancy, struggling after abortion or with pregnancy/child loss concerns with care and compassion based on Christian principles.

  2. Supporting centres in raising their profile locally and online to increase their reach.

  3. Providing foundational accredited training which is relevant and accessible to independent crisis pregnancy centres regardless of size or location, thereby increasing resilience and availability of high professional standards in independent, counselling support.

To realise our mission, PCN will:

PCN Ethos

PCN is a Christian-based organisation supporting pregnancy centres practising with a Christian ethos and therefore upholds principles of non-judgmentalism, compassion, care and respect derived from a Christian understanding. Recognising that abortion is a controversial issue that can provoke strong reactions, PCN’s purpose is to support centres in avoiding ideological polarisation and in offering compassion, information, and practical support at the point of need. PCN and the centres it supports are not campaigning organisations, do not have a political agenda and are non-proselytising.

2

We uphold the following values:

3

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Pregnancy Centres Network was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on November 30[th] , 2015. The working name for the charity is PCN.

Registered Charity No: 1164610 Registered Office: Bradbury House Durngate Place Winchester SO23 8DX E-Mail admin@pregnancycentresnetwork.org.uk Website www.pregnancycentresnetwork.org.uk Director: Judy McGibbon (in post until 13/06/2022) Alice Czajka (in post after 13/06/2022) Trustees: Anne Wallace Chair Celia Wyatt Vice Chair Lloyd Mushambadzi Treasurer Carol Steinbrecher Catherine Kimbangi Ali Thompson Mary Bevan (from 18 August 2023) Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ National Westminster Bank 250 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AA Independent examiner: Ronan Wade FCA

4

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The Need

A. Typical clients

“[My local pregnancy centre] were able to offer immediate crisis counselling support to a patient under my care. They were able to easily resolve language and location barriers. They’re communication and kindness throughout the process was excellent. Their non-judgemental approach allowed the patient to feel empowered about making the decision that was right for her. Thank you. I will continue to spread the word amongst health care professionals.”

- Perinatal Nurse Specialist

B. Statistics

5

C. Research

"Very easy to talk to, giving no personal judgement but a friendly and helpful response. Making me see the clearer picture. Thank you." 

  - **Sophie*, a client**

" I am really in control of my thoughts and feelings. I have found the counselling extremely helpful in managing negative emotions. It also helped me to deepen my relationship with my boyfriend, and avoid serious arguments caused by stress. I feel fortunate to have met the listener. Thanks so much! ”

- Aisha* a client

Strategic aims

To achieve the strategic aim that that no woman is further than 20 miles from her nearest centre, three areas of engagement were identified – local centres, local churches, and local health providers.

The main activities related to these aims were as follows.

1. In local centres, we planned to:

Six core projects were identified to progress over the 5 years 2018-23:

6

2. In local churches and with local health providers. We planned to:

Public benefit

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. The trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

Unplanned pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage are common experiences which can be hard to cope with alone and can be a mental health risk without appropriate support. In addition to this, young people now face the challenge to navigate social media at the same time as sex and relationships.

Clients come to centres from all walks of life and from every ethnic background, including services provided in prisons.

We provide public benefit by resourcing and equipping independent centres across the UK engaged in activities which advance education about sex and relationships, pregnancy and termination of pregnancy, and support anyone challenged by pregnancy crisis or loss. Centres do this by delivering sex and relationships education to young people in schools and youth clubs and by providing support and information to clients experiencing pregnancy crisis and loss, including unplanned pregnancy, foetal abnormality, abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

Our support significantly impacts the ability of practitioners in independent centres (whether staff or volunteers) to set up and run resilient organisations while providing professional standards of non-directive care to clients. As the sole organisation which fulfils this role, we consider that we provide significant public benefit as we enable centres to be better equipped, resulting in better outcomes for their clients who in turn are more able to engage with and contribute to their community and society in general.

7

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE - OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES

This is our seventh Annual Report, and we are so grateful to everyone who has given time, money, and professional advice during 2022 - 2023.

1. Local Centres:

We continued to support our family of centres to build best practice and resilience using newsletters and resources delivered through our website. This included continuing help regarding GDPR by offering resources and mentoring support for centres, and connecting centres with external

organisations with expertise in this field as well as continuing our provision of a Bursary Scheme to encourage resilience and best practice in centres that share our vision and mission.

We also supported local centres by progressing our six core projects:

1) Contact with centres and regions

“PCN offers vital support across the UK to Centres. They are a 'go to' organisation who understands the needs and challenges of the local Centres, offering high quality training and support.”

“The support helps build our confidence and professionalism as a centre. It also helps build connections with others with similar missions to us, giving us inspiration and encouragement.”

2) Fundraising

8

3) Annual Conference:

4) Setting up a Centre resource:

5) Accredited Training:

“I have very much enjoyed being a part of the course and have learnt a lot about Crisis Pregnancy. The sessions have been full on, and no time has been wasted. The content I feel is right and informative… I think the course delivery has been excellent and very professional’.

“The teaching and the explanations and discussions, alongside the handouts have been amazing...I value this course so highly in helping to support people recover after termination”

6) Ambassadors to Churches

9

2. Local Churches and Local Health Providers

In order to develop this aspect of our work we:

All of the above have continued to establish the reputation and reach of PCN, enhancing our effectiveness as a catalyst to grow the family of independent crisis pregnancy centres, both in resilience and best practice and in numbers, throughout the UK.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Pregnancy Centres Network is a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and is governed by a constitution, which outlines the appointment of and powers of trustees, including the following:

Appointment of charity trustees

(1) Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.

(2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO

Number of charity trustees

There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees or appoint a new charity trustee.

There is no maximum number of charity trustees that may be appointed to the CIO.

How this works out in practice

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. The Trustees meet five times a year to review progress and make decisions on future developments. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are listed on page 3. New trustees are appointed by existing trustees of whom there should be a minimum of three. Trustees are selected for their individual skills, knowledge, and vision. New trustees are appropriately trained and inducted.

The management of the charity until 2021 was the direct responsibility of the Trustees. With the appointment of part-time staff this is now devolved to the Director, who will be responsible to the Board and will be assisted by the staff team. Regular staff appraisals will facilitate good communication and goal setting for staff members.

Risk Policy

The Trustees maintain a Risk Management policy which is reviewed at least annually.

10

FINANCIAL REVIEW

For the year ending 31 March 2023, total income received was £92,508 (FY22:£81,143). Individual giving during the year was £18,592 (FY22: £9,234).

We remain grateful for the donations we receive from centres and trusts that continue to support the work of PCN. We have received £28,325 during the year (FY22: £17,253) of which £12,500 was restricted (FY22: £7,690).

Various fundraising activities have been pursued by volunteers, staff, trustees, and those connected with the charity to raise money for funding of the development of training. These efforts have raised £11,114 (FY22: £14,195).

Total expenses for the year amounted to £97,037 (FY22: £89,795). The main category of expenses remains salary expenses of £73,579 (FY22: £56,999). Salary expenses include pay for the trainers who are delivering training courses.

Our net cost at the end of the year is £4,529 (FY22: net cost £8,652) and available charity funds are £25,883 (FY22: £30,412) of which £14,442 is unrestricted (FY22: 19,524) and £11,441 is restricted (FY21: £10,888).

Reserves Policy

The trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds held by the charity should be a minimum of 3 months of the resources expended to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to cover support and governance costs. At this level, the trustees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event that funding initially increases more slowly than hoped.

FUTURE PLANS

Our fully accredited training courses now empower Christians to provide professional standards of free, confidential, non-directive counselling support to clients regardless of culture or gender. By addressing theological issues, trainees are supported to engage with their personal beliefs, thus ensuring that they can deliver non-directive care with integrity. We continue to provide and develop online support to centres, including CPD training and support them to safely provide online care for clients and develop their online systems by creating links to experts in the field.

Following the recruitment of part-time Director Alice Czajka in June 2022, the number of hours in the week dedicated to this post have been expanded to enable sound management of a growing staff team and a growing charity. Time has been given for the new Director to understand the role and charity thoroughly and begin to establish and develop systems that will increase resilience as we grow.

Accordingly, plans for 2023-24 include:

11

COST-OF-LIVING

The current cost of living crisis has had a large impact on our society and has resulted in early data showing a significant increase in the number of abortions taking place due to financial concerns (see statistics page 5). The ongoing provision of ‘pills by post’, allowing women to obtain abortion medication following a telephone consultation and without a scan, continues to hold the potential risk of women not only aborting a

pregnancy at a later than expected gestation, but also of coercion by family members to abort a wanted pregnancy. Thus, the need for independent non-directive support for individuals is greater than ever, although provision of this remains relatively scarce. Many Christians feel concerned about these issues but hesitate to address them publicly because they fear appearing judgemental. Although there are those who take a different approach in their response to these sometimes polarising and controversial issues, for us, this only increases the urgent need for pregnancy centres who are committed to delivery of high standards of non-directive care ensuring women and their partners get the support they need and deserve.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Charity Commissioners require the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of its surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” effective from January 2015. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In determining how amounts are presented within items in the statement of financial activities and balance sheet, the Trustees must have regard to the substance of the reported transaction or arrangement, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or practice.

12

INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION

The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed. The trustees have appointed Ronan Wade FCA as Independent Examiner for the period ended 31[st] March 2023.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by

Anne Wallace, Chair of Trustees

13

Statement of financial activities

(Incorporating the income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes
Income and endowments from:
Voluntary donations (Centres + Trusts)
Voluntary donations (Individuals)
National conference
Fundraising activities
Gift aid recovered
Grant
Other
Total
2
Expenditure on:
Charity Activities
Charitable donations
Insurance
Total
3
Net income (expenditure)
Opening balances brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
10,985
18,592
19,464
11,114
3,080
4,840
11,933
80,008
82,236
2,100
754
85,090
(5,082)
19,524
14,442		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
12,500
-
12,500
11,947
-
-
11,947
533

10,888

11,441		 Total Funds
2023
£
10,985
18,592
19,464
11,114
3,080
17,340
11,933
92,508
94,183
2,100
754
97,037
(4,529)
30,412
25,883		 Total Funds
2022
£
17,253
9,234
25,712
14,195
3,270
-
11,479
81,143
86,687
2,350
758
89,795
(8,652)
39,064
30,412

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses for the year. There is therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses prepared.

14

Balance Sheet

for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Accounts receivable
Other debtors
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amount falling due within one year
5
Net current assets
Total net assets
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
9,317
87
5,370
14,774
(332)
(332)
14,442
14,442
14,442
-
14,442		 Restricted
Funds
£
11,441
-
-
11,441
-
-
11,441
11,441
-
11,441
11,441		 Total Funds
2023
£
20,758
87
5,370
26,215
(332)
(332)
25,883
25,883
14,442
11,441
25,883		 Total Funds
2022
£
28,292
-
2,640
30,932
(520)
(520)
30,412
30,412
19,524
10,888
30,412

The notes on pages 16 to 18 form part of these accounts. The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 15[th] January 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:

Anne Wallace Chair of Trustees

Registered charity number: 1164610

15

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2024

a. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SOR (FRS 102)). The financial statements are drawn up on the historical cost basis.

b. Going concern

There is no material uncertainty about the Charity's ability to continue and accordingly the accounts have been drawn up on a going concern basis.

c. Income recognition

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when:

d. Funds

Funds are held by the charity as unrestricted and restricted funds. Unrestricted funds can be used, at the discretion of the trustees, for any purpose within the objects of the charity. Restricted funds are expendable by the trustees in furtherance of some particular aspect of the charity declared by the donor(s).

e. Taxation

Pregnancy Centres network is a registered charity and is not liable to taxation

f. Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

16

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

2. Income and endowments

Income and endowments from:
Voluntary donations (Centres +
Trusts)
Voluntary donations (Individuals)
National conference
Fundraising activities
Gift aid recovered
Grant
Other
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
10,985
18,592
19,464
11,114
3,080
4,840
11,933
80,008		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
12,500
-
12,500		 Total Funds
2023
£
10,985
18,592
19,464
11,114
3,080
17,340
11,933
92,508		 Total Funds
2022
£
17,253
9,234
25,712
14,195
3,270
-
11,479
81,143

Voluntary donations relate to amounts donated by other pregnancy centres or individuals on a one-off or recurring basis.

3. Expenses

Expenditure on:
Professional subscriptions
National conference
Staff costs
IT costs (incl. website)
Charitable donations
Insurance
Training
Survey
Volunteer expenses
Engagement with regional groups /
centres
Bank Fees
Administration
Equipment
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
473
18,359
61,632
840
2,100
754
-
-
105
-
138
689
-
85,090		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
11,947
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,947		 Total Funds
2023
£
473
18,359
73,579
840
2,100
754
-
-
105
-
138
689
-
97,037		 Total Funds
2022
£
569
20,845
56,999
1,372
2,350
758
1,920
-
106
938
104
3,835
-
89,795

Training relates to the costs incurred by the charity in developing accredited training courses.

17

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

4. Staff costs: paid employees

Staff costs relate to paid employees. During the year we had 6 full time paid employees (2022: 6). The employees of the charity are: The Administrator, the Deputy Director, the Training Lead, the Training Coordinator, the Director, and the Development officer. No employees have received employee remuneration of more than £60,000.

5. Trustees' remunerations

The Trustees have received no remuneration during the period.

6. Creditors

Other creditors 2023
£
332
332		 2022
£
520
520

7. Related Parties

In total, the trustees have donated £10,225 (2022: £2,095) to the work of the charity during the period.

8. Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of fund movements:
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Fund
balances
brought
forward
£
19,524
10,888
30,412		 Income
£
80,008
12,500
92,508		 Expenditure
£
85,090
11,947
97,037		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
14,442
11,441
25,883

The unrestricted funds are available to be spent for any of the purposes of the charity.

18

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

to the trustees of Pregnancy Centres Network Charitable Incorporated Organisation

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above Charity (the CIO) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act;

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records, or

  3. the account did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an Independent Examination

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Ronan Wade FCA 49 Barncliffe Crescent, Sheffield, S10 4DA

Date: 30[th] January 2024